What’s Wrong Here? Hint: Not Quite 90
How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn’t identify? Here's your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. Can you identify the specific Code violation(s) in this photo? Note: Submitted comments must include specific references from the 2020 NEC.
Hint: Not quite 90
Tell Them What They've Won…
Using the 2020 NEC, correctly identify the Code violation(s) in this month's photo — in 200 words or less — and you could win an Arlington Industries SL1B18 SLIDER BAR kit, which includes a stainless steel trap door cover and a 20A decorator-style, tamper-resistant receptacle. E-mail your response, including your name and mailing address, to [email protected], and Russ will select three winners (excluding manufacturers and prior winners) at random from the correct submissions. Note that submissions without an address will not be eligible to win.
June Winners
Our three winners this month were: Matt White, an electrical estimator for TDX Power Services of New Centerville, Idaho; Geoffrey Coetzee with Disher Electric, Stevens Point, Wis.; and John Freisen, a master electrician from El Paso, Texas. Each of them was able to correctly identify some of the Code violations in this photo.
The use of set-screw-type EMT connectors in this wet location was certainly one problem. Section 314.15 requires boxes and fittings installed in wet locations to be listed for use in wet locations. These connectors are not listed for wet location use. Using the EMT raceway to support this luminaire is a blatant violation of Sec. 358.12(2). I assume the typically short leads for this luminaire are spliced to the branch circuit wires inside the raceway. If so, this is a violation of Sec. 300.13. Also, the EMT is not supported and secured in compliance with Sec. 358.30.
About the Author
Russ LeBlancRuss LeBlanc
Owner
Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.
Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.
